Throughout December, kitchens everywhere are bursting with a vibrant mix of colours, flavours and aromas. Just as beauty counters everywhere are brimming with the latest eyeshadows, lipsticks and perfumes!

It’s hardly surprising then that Christmas, a holiday dominated by lovely grub and pretty gifts, should remind me of food’s relationship with beauty. Cosmetics and food share many common traits; from irresistible smells to striking colours, unusual textures to scrumptious tastes.

And even to this day, many beauty products are made with ingredients like castor oil. So, to celebrate food and beauty’s long, interrelated history, here are my top ten food-inspired beauty products this Christmas…

1. Evie Orange Mini Lipstick by Frontcover (£4.00)

If you’re after a dainty but delectable lippy, then look no further than Frontcover’s gorgeous range of mini lipsticks. The range boasts several stunning shades, most of which are named after food items! So whether it’s Salmon Roe or Buttered Popcorn, Apricot Candy or Cajun Pepper, you’re bound to find a colour to suit your taste…

Evie Orange lipstick by Frontcover

While each shade is lovely in its own right, I recommend keeping your eyes peeled for Evie Orange – a small lipstick with a big personality. This lipstick’s tangy hue delivers a vibrant punch, and looks lovely when accompanied with minimal or matching eye makeup; I personally like to team it with a subtle blend of Frontcover’s “Tempura”, “Fawn Skip” and “Choc Chip” eyeshadows for a tangerine-dream vibe. Have a look…

Evie Orange Mini Lipstick by Frontcover

2. Cherry Burst Mini Lipstick by Frontcover (£4.00)

Another favourite of mine from Frontcover’s range of mini lipsticks is the explosive Cherry Burst. It may be little, but this lippy is guaranteed to make a bold impression. The colour is pretty and playful, but it’s also downright daring. Indeed, Cherry Burst is not for the faint-hearted, but if it’s a seductive, fruit-stained pout you want, then this is definitely the shade for you.

Cherry Burst lipstick by Frontcover

3. Merry Berry Nail Lacquer by China Glaze (£8.95)

This nail lacquer has one fruity character! Like all China Glaze lacquers, Merry Berry contains China Clay as a nail hardener, which is ‘the same material that gives porcelain its shiny finish’. As a result, the lacquer doesn’t run, it doesn’t clump, and it doesn’t chip easily. It also comes with a thin, angular brush which makes it easy to apply. (thebeautypartnership.com)

Merry Berry nail lacquer by China Glaze

4. Champagne Kisses Nail Lacquer by China Glaze (£8.95)

Like a fine bottle of bubbly, Champagne Kisses is light, golden and sparkling. It dries evenly, catches the light beautifully, and (unlike many glittery nail varnishes) doesn’t look gaudy. Instead it looks soft, shimmery and delicate. Champagne Kisses looks great on your fingernails – especially while you’re holding a glass of moët! (thebeautypartnership.com)

Champagne Kisses nail lacquer by China Glaze

5. Berry Season Nail Lacquer by Art Deco (£9.50)

This lacquer is rich, elegant and absolutely gorgeous. It’s one of the loveliest nail varnishes I’ve ever tried. Berry Season is guaranteed to add a touch of sophistication to your look, and I think it’d make the perfect addition to any Christmas outfit.

Berry Season Nail Lacquer by ArtDeco

6. Berry Red High Performance Lipstick by Art Deco (£15.00)

With its vampish shade, Berry Red is the perfect way to give yourself a dark but feminine edge. This lip shade looks quite dramatic against pale skin, which is why I usually wear it during the evening. I do like to wear it in the daytime as well though – in which case I just reduce the severity of the look by limiting the amount I apply. Simples!

Berry Red lipstick by Artdeco

7. Million Dollar Sugar Scrub by Organic Surge (£32.00 / 400g)

I love this scrub for several reasons. Firstly, it’s enriched with pure orange and bergamot essential oils, meaning it smells divine. When I first opened the jar, I thought it smelled like Christmas! Secondly, the scrub has a soft but sugary texture which feels lovely when massaged into your skin.

Million Dollar Brown Sugar Body Polish by Organic Surge

And thirdly, the scrub is packed with pure plant extracts and organic brown sugar crystals, two ingredients which do a fantastic job of ridding your body of dead skin cells. After using this luxurious scrub just once my skin felt incredibly smooth – I think it’d be a great product to use when prepping your skin for fake-tan.

I tried out Nourishing Night Cream by Pukka Ayurveda just before going to bed the other evening. My skin quickly absorbed the cream and, as the aroma settled, I soon began to feel a mild, tightening sensation across my face. After sleeping on it, the next morning I woke up to find my skin in better condition!

Nourishing Night Cream by Pukka Ayurveda

My complexion felt softer and smoother, and I noticed a visible reduction in the fine lines across my forehead, which appeared to have ironed out. In addition to frankincense and pomegranate, this night cream also contains avocado – something which South American and Mexican women have used to moisturize their skin for the past 400 years. No wonder it worked so well!

I suffer from psoriasis but after just one use of this shampoo I noticed an improvement in the condition of my scalp. The shampoo has a lovely scent and leaves your hair feeling soft and looking silky, especially when followed up with Cosmecology’s Instant Hair Repair conditioner. (cosmecology.com, stockist number: 0800590094)

Hair Shampoo for Dry Hair by Cosmecology

10. Peel Skin Exfoliator by Cosmecology Paris, made with apricot and papaya (£6.70)

I adore this exfoliator! The apricot and papaya ingredients smell lovely and rid your face of dead skin cells – my face looked clearer and softer after use. Remember though, don’t use too much exfoliator when the weather’s cold as it can leave your skin exposed to the effects of harsh weather. Apply gently a couple of times each week for a bright complexion.

Peel Skin by Cosmecology

About

Blogger: Heledd Williams

Welcome to my blog, Yesterface! Dedicated to the beauty, origins and ongoing history of cosmetics, here at Yesterface I look at the way in which make-up style, cultural trends, and beauty products all adapt through the ages. I hope you enjoy the mix of interviews, articles and makeup tutorials, and I hope that Yesterface sheds new light on makeup's foundations!